Warrington bomb victim worsens: Doctors face decision on withdrawing Tim Parry's life support

TIM PARRY, the 12-year-old boy seriously injured in the IRA bombing in Warrington, seems to be losing his fight for life.

Doctors may have to decide today whether to withdraw the life support system being used to aid his breathing.

Yesterday John Miles, the consultant neurosurgeon treating him in Liverpool's Walton hospital, said there had been a deterioration in Tim's brain function. Mr Miles said the signs were 'bad' but he would not know for at least 24 hours if there was absolutely no hope. Tim took the full force of the second explosion in his face, suffering massive head injuries.

When he was admitted to Warrington General Hospital he did show initial signs of struggling to breathe and some small movement in his limbs. This is why he was transferred to the neurological unit at Walton for a brain scan and further tests.

One of the key indicators to Tim's condition was whether or not he would be able to sustain his own breathing after having various drugs withdrawn. This was done yesterday but he showed no response.

Mr Miles said yesterday that doctors would now maintain the artificial breathing without the use of drugs. If Tim does not respond, a decision will have to be taken today on whether or not to switch off the ventilator.

Mr Miles said that Tim's parents, Colin, 37, and Wendy, 35, were 'naturally very disappointed'.

Kenneth Clarke, the Home Secretary, and the Prince of Wales both paid separate visits to Warrington yesterday. The funeral of Johnathan Ball, aged three, who died in the bombing, will take place tomorrow.

More than a thousand peace campaigners crowded into Trinity College in Dublin last night to protest against IRA terrorism.

At the rally, which was orchestrated by Susan McHugh - a housewife who was moved to act after last weekend's IRA bombing in Warrington - speakers echoed pleas to the men of violence to end more than two decades of terrorism.